South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit has called for calm following the death of General Majur Dak Thel and several officers in an attack on a military garrison in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
The incident, which Kiir described as a serious security breach, has escalated tensions in the country.
In a statement issued on March 7, Kiir confirmed that the military base in Nasir was attacked on March 4 by forces under the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO), despite assurances from First Vice President Riek Machar that no such assault would take place.
Kiir expressed frustration over the turn of events, noting that the attack contradicted commitments made in peace discussions.
“On February 28, Dr. Riek Machar requested a meeting to address this tension. We met on March 3, and he assured all parties to the Agreement that he would intervene. However, the attack on March 4 clearly shows otherwise,” Kiir stated.
He revealed that the military commander at the base, Gen. Majur Dak Thel, and his troops attempted to hold their ground but were overwhelmed.
Efforts to negotiate their surrender failed, as Thel refused to lay down arms even when personally urged to do so by Machar.
Kiir said the United Nations was engaged to facilitate an evacuation, but their helicopters came under fire while attempting to rescue stranded soldiers.
“The UN rescue mission flew to Nasir, but IO troops opened fire on them. Despite the dangerous conditions, the helicopters managed to evacuate 11 officers, with the General opting to be the last to leave,” Kiir said.
A subsequent evacuation effort on March 7 ended in tragedy when one of the UN helicopters crash-landed in Malakal, killing all passengers, including Gen. Majur Dak Thel and his officers.
Kiir confirmed that only one pilot and a crew member survived the crash.
The president assured the nation that his government was handling the crisis and urged citizens to remain calm.
“I have said it time and again—our country will not go back to war. Let no one take the law into their own hands,” Kiir declared, warning against retaliatory violence.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, he paid tribute to Thel and his men, stating that they “died in the service of our nation and will forever remain in our hearts.”
Kiir concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to peace and stability in South Sudan.